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ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Professionalism, ethical codes and the public interest

Halden Logistics has a detailed code of conduct displayed in every depot. However, drivers report that managers reward those who hit delivery targets by any means and quietly criticise anyone who raises safety shortcuts. Which conclusion best describes the position?

There is a gap between the espoused values in the published code and the real culture shown by rewards and criticism. Because managers reward target-hitting at any cost and discourage safety concerns, the code will not shape behaviour, however visible it is.

  1. AThe code is effective because it is published and visible to all staff
  2. BThere is a gap between the espoused values in the code and the actual culture, so the code is unlikely to guide behaviourCorrect
  3. CThe organisation has a compliance-based approach that is working as intended
  4. DThe problem is solely one of inadequate legal regulation of the transport sector

Explanation

A code only influences conduct if it is reflected in management behaviour and reward systems. Here the rewards and criticism show the real culture differs from the stated values. Publishing the code (option A) does not make it effective.

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